Running-gear for vehicles.



I. E. PALMER RUNNING GEAR 1 cm VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED IEB.17, 1908.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

e SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1.. E. PALMER. 4 RUNNING GEAR FOB VEHIOLBE.

APRLIOATIOH FILED FEB. 11, mos. I k

' Patented N0v.'2,1909 I 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Dwenizu" lsaac E. Pabner,

I. E PALMER.

RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES.

APPLIOATIUH FILED PEB.17, 190s.

Patented; Ndv. 2,1909.

6.8HEETS-SHBET 3.

M M M a W W I. E. PALMER. RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES. APPLIOATION rum) FEB.17, 1908.

938,782. Patented. Nov. 2, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I. E. PALMER. RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION Pill-E11) I'EBpl'i', 1908. 7 938,782. Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

6 SHBBTS-SHEET 5'.

5M fovg 19am EPalmen- RMWWM i @iiiys.

I. E. PALMER.

RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.17, 1908.

938,782. Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

witnesss I .saac a me RMALZM 9% awa 2y ISAAC E. PALMER, F MIDDLETOWN, CQIiNECTICUT.

RUNNI'hTG-GEAR FOR 'iTEI-HGLES. I

@eeifieation of Letters Patent.

@ Patented Nov. 2, teen.

Application filed February 17, 180$. Serial 32%. 416,1781.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that 1, Isaac E. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an 1111-.

provement in Running-Gear for Vehicles, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawingsis a specification, like numerals on the drawings re resenting like parts.

lhis invention relates to running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles, and it has more particularly for its objects to provide a construction whereby if desired the use of pneumatic tires may be avoided, to provide increased traction, to provide more extensive wheel support so as to reduce the weight upon individual wheels, to reduce the liability of skidding, to provide trucks or semi-trucks, preferably spring connected to the body of the vehicle, and to provide if desired compensating devices for the various arrangements of wheels.

In order that the principles of the invention may be clearly understood, I have in the accompanying drawings disclosed certain types or embodiments of my invention, wherein Figure l is a plan view of a portion of the body of a trackless power driven vehicle embodying one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of that form of my invention shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the forward portion of a trackless, power driven vehicle similar to Fig. 1 but representing the forward wheels as out of transverse alinement; Fig. is a plan view of a form of my invention wherein three forward wheels are provided; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. Fig. 6 is a plan View upon an enlarged scale of the means for mounting the leading forward wheel represented in Fig. l; Fig. 7 is a front view of the construction repre sented in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a side elevation partially in section of such construction,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the forward portion of a trackless, power driven vehicle embodying my invention and wherein four forward wheels are provided; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the construction represented in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is aside elevation, partly in section, of a form of spring support that may be employed with a forward or rear truck; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a trackless, power driven vehicle provided with the preferred arrangement of front and rear wheels.

My present invention contemplates a tracltless, power driven vehicle wherein the rear of the vehicle is provided with a truck movably connected thereto and whereon are mounted more than two wheels, one of said wheels being arranged so as not toitiuck with the others, the forward portion of the body being supported by suitable wheels, preferably mounted upon a. truck movar' t connected to the said body. In the s geral forms of my invention, I have rep 'se'sented two, three and four forward wheelsmounted upon a truck, although it is apparent that 'my invention may be embodied in other forms than that herein illustrated.

Referring specifically to that form ,of the invention typ1fied in Figs. 1, 2 and 12, the body frame is represented at 1 and is shown as broken away for convenience of illustration. Suitably supported upon said body frame is a main driving shaft 2 receiving power in any suitable manner by suitable gearing, as sprocket, spur or the like, to convey power to the rear wheels. Herein, I have represented sprocket whccis 3 mounted upon said shaft and sprocket chains iand 5 for driving the rear axle 6 and adapted whereon are suitably mounted wheels 7 and 8. The said axle 6 and wheels 7 and 8 are mounted upon a rear truck of any suitable type movably connected in anysuitable manner to the body 'of the vehicle. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the saidtrucl: coniprises side springs 9, each of which is suitably connected to the under side of the body of the vehicle, cooperating supporting means being provided in connection with each spring 9. Herein, for the purpose, I have represented longitudinal members 10 towhich are suitably connected springs 11 and 12, the ends whereof are pivotally connected by links 13 and 14 to the spring 9. In this manner, the truck is movably and resiliently connected to tl'ie'main body of the vehicle so that the truck may absorb the shocks and jars received from the road bed, thus preventing the transmission thereof-to the body of the vehicle. \Vhile' either end of the truck may be tilted in a vertical plane and while the members of the truck as a. whole or at either side may be compressed. to ob sorb shocks and jars, preferably the truck is held from lateral deflectionwith respect loo ' to reduce the liability of skidding,

In the present form ofmy invention,I have shown the use of a third wheel 17. mounted intermediate the paths of the other wheels and herein supported in a yoke 18 suitably connected to the side members of the truck. The said wheel 17- is preferably driven as from the axle 6 by sprocket gearing 19, the axle 6 being for this purpose rovi ed with a combined sprocket and beve ed gear 20 receiving power from a beveled gear 21 mounted in a bracket 22 upon the axle 8 and receiving motion in any suitable manner. It is to be understood, however, that the wheel 17 may be driven in any convenient or. suitable manner. The said wheel is mounted for lateral deflection with respect to the longitudinal' axis of the vehicle, and to this end may be provided with any suitable connec tionspermitting the driving and lateral deflection thereof, as, for example, any of the connections employed for that, purpose in my application berial No. 402,594, filed Nov.

The forward truck be at any suitable construction. Herein I have represented in said figures side upper springs 23 suitably connected to the under side-of the body of the vehicle and side under springs '24, one end of each of which,

and herein the rear end, is pivotally con nected by a link 25 to the upper spring 23. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, suitably mounted ,upon said truck are the forward wheels 26 and 27 adapted to be laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinal axisoit the vehicle in any suitable manner being connected with the steering apparatus in a manner not herein'illustrated. In order that the said forward wheels 26 may receive simultaneous deflection, I have provided each of them with a. lever 28, said levers *being connected by a link 29. In the present type of my invention, I have employed means whereby when the wheels 26 and 27 arelaterally deflected in one direction, the rear wheel 17 may be laterally deflected in the opposite direction. While any suitable means may be'employed for the purpose,

herein I have operatively connected to the lever 28 of the Wheel 26 a lever arm 30, to

which is pivotally connected the forward end of a longitudinal rod 31, the rear end whereof is similarly connected to a steering lever 32 suitably connected to thslud wheel. 17 laterally to deflect the as" 1 and in the .benm of which 1 preferably employ to support the forward wheels may opposite direction, said steeringle'ver' 32 proper proportional lengthto effect the desired deflection.

' In Figs. 1 and 2 I haverepresented the front 'w eels 26/ and 27 as intransverse alinement. wheels may be arranged out of transverse alinement. In Fi 3, I have represented the frontwheel 33 isposed somewhat in advance of the wheel 34, suchdisposition of the wheels being intended to distribute be- Itdesired, however, the front' tween them and to lessen the effect of the shocks and jars of traveling. When the wheels are arranged out of transverse alinement, I provide compensating connections whereby a differential deflecting movement is imparted to the wheels during the turning operation. To that end, the lever arm 35 connected with the wheel 33 is shorter than the lever arm 36 connected with the wheel 34, wherebythere may be imparted to the leading wheel 33 a greater angular deflection than is imparted to the wheel 34, it being apparent that the leading wheel 33 must be deflected through the same arc as the wheel 34,- but in a shorter space of time, since the two wheels must complete the tum simultaneously. It is apparent that in the type of my invention represented in Fig. 3 the rear wheels may be mounted-and driven in any suitable manner, as for example, in the manner represented in Fig. 1'.

In the type of my invention represented in Figs, 4, 5 and 12, I employ three wheels 37, 38and 39 mounted upon a forward truck which may be of the general type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Ihave, however, indicated.

the truck as-here formed of upper -spring members 23 and lower partial sprin 'mem bers 24, 24: suitably connected to ongitu-' dinal members 25, as most clearly represented 'in Fig. The wheel 37 is herein represented as zirranged intermediate the paths of the wheels 38 and 39. Steering or lateral deflecting movement may be imparted to the wheel 37 in any suitable manner, not herein necessary to illustrate. Preferably, each of thesaid three wheels is mounted for lateral deflection, and to that end I have represented the su' port-for the wheel 37 as provided with a link 40 connected to the deliect= f ing lever 41 of the wheel 39. .Thewhcel 38 is provided with a similar'deflecting lever 42, said levers 41 and 4: being connected by a link 43. If desired, a lever arm and link 45 may be provided for the deflection of the intermediate rear wheel, if such be employed. The rear portion of the truck may if desired be of the general constructio illustrated in Figs. 1 and2. r

In Figsrti, 7 and 8, I have represented more in detail and upon a larger scale one manner of mounting the intermediate leading wheel 37. Herein, for the purpose, I have provided a yoke 46 having side memassess hers 47 and 48, preferably rigidly connected with the side members of the forward truck. Pivotally mounted within the outer yoke 46 as upon a vertical pin 49 is an inner yoke 50 which may be laterally deflected froin the steering gear and which receives in bearings the wheel 37. Herein I have represented coil springs 51 and 52 received within the yoke 50 above the bearings of said wheel to absorb a Any suit le means may be provided to guide the deflecting movement of the inner yoke 50. Herein, for thepurpose, I have represented the outer yoke 46 as provided with opposite are shaped plates 54 and 55 providin uioling ways for similar but preferabl onger are shaped plates 56 and 57 providied upon the lower portion ofthe inner yoke 50.

in thatforxn of my invention wherein three wheels are mounted upon the forward truck, I one being intermediate the others, preferably the outer wheels are arranged in transverse alincment, though I may arrange them out of transverse alinement and provide suitable compensating or differential connections in the manner previously re ferred to. i

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have represented a form of myfinvention wherein the forward truck is provided with four wheels 58, 59, 60 and 61 arranged in pairs and herein 'representedas in transverse alinement, it bespring or springs 71 ing apparent, however, that either or both pairs may be arranged out of transverse alinement, in which case suitable difi'erential compensating connections should be ro- The lelaterally deflecting the front wheels =38 and are of shorter length than the are responding levers G l and (35 for deflecting the wheels 60 and 61, in order that the lending wheels 58 and 59 may be deflected at a somewhat greater angle than the wheels {50 and G1. I have herein representvided for the deflecting movement. vers 62 und d-3 for ed the lever arm 62am]. 63 as connected for simultaneous operation by a link O l, the lever arms 62 and 63 being operatively connected to or formed with lever arms 66 and 67 connected by links 68 and 69 to the levers 64 and for the wheels 60 and 61. If de sired, a link 70 may be pivotally connected to one of the links 68 or 69, or the levers to which they are attached, and herein to the link 68, the other link 70 being preferably operatively coirnccted to the intermediate rearwheel in a 3 anner previously described.

In Fig. 11, lhave represented a form of spring support for a forward or rear truck. Herein, is represented an upper spring or series of springs 71 connected in any suitable manner to) the body 1 or to a bracket 72 secured thereto. To the ends of the are connected two shorter springs crests of springs 73, 7%.

portion of the shocks and jars; a

73 are directly and pivotally connected at one end as 75 to the spring 71 the opposite end of the spring or springs 73 being pivotally connected, as by a link 76, to the bracket 72. The adjacent or inner end of the spring or springs 74 is directly and pivotally connected, as at 77, with the bracket 72, the other spring 74 being pivotally connected by a link 78 withithe outer end of the upper or main spring 71. As represented in said figme. one or more of the wheels of the vehicle are connected to each of the springs 73 and 74;. The said springs'yield when an obstacle or unevenness in the road is encountered and rock the links 76and 78. Excessive jar is taken up partly by the springs 73 The springs and 7 1- and in part. by the main or upper spring 71, thus relieving the body of the vehicle from substantially all shock or jar.

Having thus described one type or embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be or outer end of the understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and de scriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims:

' 1. Running gear for trackless power driven vehicles comprising a truck movable with respect to the body frameand connected to the rear thereof, three wheels mounted upon said truck, two of said wheels being at opposite sides of. said vehicle one of said wheels sing arrange l between the sides of the vehicle so as not to track with the said other wheels of said truck, and means to drive a plurality of wheels of said truck including said non-tracking wheel,

2. Running driven vehicles comprising a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connccted thereto, three driven wheels mounted upon said truck, two of said wheels being in transverse alinement, and the third wheel not tracking with said transversely alinedwheels, and a plurality of wheels cooperating with said first mentionedwheels to support the vehicle.

3. Runnin gear for tracklcss, power driven vehicles comprising a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, an odd number of wheels mounted upon said truck, one at least of said wheels being intermediate the paths of the other wheels and "laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinalaxis bf the vehicle, two or-moreforwardwheels, and connecting means for positively deflecting said forward wheels and said intermediate rear wheel. v

at. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising a truck movable with respect to-the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, an odd number of wheels mounted upon said truck, one at least gear for trackless, power of said wheels being intermediate the paths v and means for positively deflecting said -intermcdiah wheel, and three front wheels 8. Running gear 'for trackless, power of the other wheels and to the r-car thereof, said intermediate wheel being positively driven, two or more forward wheels, and connecting means for positively deflecting said forward wheels and said intermediate rear wheel.

Runnin gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising a truck mova ie with respect to. the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, an odd number of wheels mounted upon said truck, tine at least of said wheels being intermediate the paths of the other wheels, two at least of said odd number of wheels, including said intermediate wheel being driven, three front wheels,v

termediate rear wheel. I

6. Running gear for trackles s, power driven vehicles comprising a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, said trucl having an axle, a pair of driven wheels .ounted thereon, an intermediate wheel also mounted upon said truck, means for driving said inconnected tothe vehicle, one of said front wheels being intermediate the paths of the other two front wheels. 1

7. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles including among its elements a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the front portion thereof, an outer yoke connected with the truck and intermediate the sidesthereof, an inner yoke mounted withinthe outer yoke for lateral ,deflection with respect to said outer yoke, a Wheel mounted insaid inner yoke, and a pair of sidewheels. mounted upon said truck and laterally deflected with respect to the truck.

driven vehicles including among its elements a track movable with respect to the body frameand connected to the front portion thereof, an outer yoke rigidly connected with said truck and intermediate the sides thereof, an inner yoke, mounted for lateral deflection with respect to said outer yoke, and a wheel yieldinglvy mounted in said in- 1 nor yoke. 9. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles including .among its elements a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the front portion 5 thereof, a yoke intermediate the sides of t'he truck and connected thereto, an inner yoke pivoted to the first mentioned yoke, to be i laterally deflected with respect thereto, and a wheel mounted in the said inner yoke, and

yieldingly supported with respect to said yokes.

10. Running gear for trackless, power driven Vehicles including among its elements a truck movable with respect to the body transversely alincd. wheels.

frame and connected to the front portion thereof, a yoke intermediate the sides of the truck and connected thereto, an inner yoke pivoted to the first mentioned yoke to be aterally deflected with respect thereto, a

wheel mounted in the inner yoke, and means movements of said to guide the defiectin v said wheel ,being lnner yoke and whee icldingly supported.

11. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles including among its elements a truck movable with res ect to the body frame and connected to tli truck, one of them being intermediate the paths of the others, said wheels being mounte front portion 7 thereof, three wheels mounted upon said,

ed to be deflected lateral-1y "from the longideflecting means for the said wheels includ-* 'ing connections for positively deflecting said I intermediate wheel with. respect to said 13. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles including among its elements a truclrmovable with respect to the body frame .and connected to the rear portion thereof, three wheels mounted upon said truck, one of said wheels being intermediate the paths of the others, means to drive each of said wheels, and means laterally to del'lect said intermediate wheel with respect'to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

14. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles including among its elements a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the front thereof, two or more wheels mounted upon said truck and adapted to be laterally deflected with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear portion thereof, three wheels mounted upon said rear truck, one of said wheels being inter mediate the paths of the others, and mountedfor lateral deflection with respect: to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, steering connections between the wheels of the forward truck and said intermediate wheel of the rear truck, and'means for drivingthe wheels of the rear truck.

15. Running gear for' trackless power driven vehicles comprising a. truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, an odd number of wheels being mounted upon said truck and includin driven side wheels and a driven interme iate wheel, the said intermediate wheel being'to the rear of said side wheels, means positively to deflect said intermediate wheel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a plurality of wheels to support the front of the vehicle.

16. Running gear for trackless power driven vehicles comprising a body frame, a plurality ofwheels supporting the for ward portion thereof, means positively to deflect said wheels, a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, an odd number of Wheels mounted upon said truck and including side wheels and an intermediate wheel, said intermediate wheel being deflectable, and positive deflecting means connecting said front wheels and said intermediate rear wheel.

17. Running gear for tracklcss power driven vehicles comprising a body frame, a plurality of wheels, supporting the forward portion thereof, means positively to deflect said wheels, a trucknmvahle with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof. an odd number of wheels mounted upon said truck and ,including side wheels and an intermediate wheel, said intermediale wheel being deflectable. and positive dellccting means connecting said front wheels and said intermediate rear wheel and, including compensating connections for said intermediate rear wheel.

18. Running gear for trackless power driven vehicles comprising a body frame, a plurality of wheels supporting the forward portion thereof, means positively to deflect said wheels, a truck movable with respect to the body frame and connected to the rear thereof, three wheels mounted upon said truck, two of said wheels being drven and fixed from lateral deflection and the third wheel being intermediate, the other rear wheels, and means connected with the front wheel deflecting means positively to deflect said intermediate Wheel.

19. Running gear for trackless, power driven -vehicles comprising a body frame, a. plurality of wheels supporting the forward porton thereof, means positively to deflect said wheels, a truck movable with respect to thereof,- three wheels mounted upon said truck, one pf said wheels being intermediate the others, means to drive all ofsaid rear wheels, and means positively to deflect said intermediate rear wheel.

20. Running gear for trackless power driven vehicles comprising among its elements :1 truclrmovable with respect "to the body frame, springs connecting said truck to the front portion of the body frame, a pair of wheels'connected to sai'd'truck and an intermediate wheel also connected to said truck, a deflecting support for said intermediate wheel, and means for yieldingly l mounting said intermediate wheel in said supptrt.

In et; timony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of 1 two subscribing witnesses. e v

ISAAC E. PALMER.

i Witnesses:

-'" Chas. M. Sauna,

i (ino. C. HAINS.

the body frame and connected to the rear 

